Former Police Officer Gets Just 15 Days For Cruelty Case Involving K9 Fatally Starved

Dexter, Missouri – There is widespread outrage over the sentencing of a former Dexter Police Officer who was charged after an active-duty police K9 in his care starved to death, and another retired K9 was found severely neglected. Derrick A. Durall, formerly a K-9 handler, faced two felony animal abuse charges, and two misdemeanor animal neglect charges, stemming from the death of K9 Apollo, and retired K-9 Knox.

On August 24, 2026, Durrall pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor animal abuse and was sentenced to one year in the Dunklin County Jail. But the judge suspended execution of the sentence and placed him on two years of supervised probation instead. Because of the suspension, Durall faced just 15 days behind bars.

Durall was responsible for the department’s active K-9, Apollo, as well as retired K-9 Knox. Both dogs were housed in separate kennels at Durall’s home and the department provided the kennels and food. Durall was entrusted the care of these K9s, yet one dog died at just 41.6 pounds after losing approximately 25 pounds, while the other survived with severe heartworms, severely worn teeth and significant weight loss.

Timeline

December 2020: Durall becomes a Dexter Police Department K-9 handler.

September 2023: Apollo’s previous veterinary visit; he weighed roughly 25 pounds more than he would at his death.

December 18, 2023: Durall is injured and later returns to light duty without Apollo.

February 18, 2024: Apollo is found dead in his kennel. Veterinary examination reveals severe malnutrition and dehydration; he weighs 41.6 pounds.

April 1, 2024: Dexter terminates Durall’s employment.

April 2024: He is charged with two felony animal-abuse counts and two misdemeanor animal-neglect counts.

February 2026: Jury trial scheduled for June following Durall’s not-guilty plea.

August 24, 2026: Durall pleads guilty to two misdemeanor animal-abuse counts and receives the suspended one-year sentence, 15 days actual jail time, two years’ probation and $8,900 restitution.

Durrall became a K-9 handler for the Dexter Police Department in December 2020, and he was fired on April 1, 2024.